COLLEGE PREP Gifts for grads
Try these suggestions for necessities -- or stuff that's just nice to have.
By SUZANNE PEREZ TOBIAS
KNIGHT RIDDER NEWSPAPERS
Perhaps you've gotten some graduation announcements in the mail, or your own child, grandchild, niece or nephew is getting ready for college. If you've been waiting for inspiration before shopping for a gift, you're in luck. We scoured stores, catalogs and the Internet for gift ideas in every price range, and asked recent graduates what items came in handy as they settled into college or their first apartment.
(Note: This is not an exhaustive list -- for one thing, it doesn't include a new car, which tops many graduates' gift lists -- but it's a start.)
Have fun shopping. And congratulations, graduates!
A GOOD PEN
Why: For taking notes, endorsing checks or jotting down the pizza order. Make it a keepsake by having it engraved with the grad's name or initials.
Price: $20 and up.
MP3 PLAYER/RECORDER
Why: To keep tunes handy. (Many even double as digital planners and alarm clocks, so it's several gifts in one.)
Price: About $200, depending on the model and features.
BACKPACK
Why: For college students, a vital accessory. To really surprise him, tuck some goodies inside -- a pocket-size dictionary, a cookbook, airline tickets to someplace fun.
Price: $25 and up.
LAUNDRY SURVIVAL KIT
Why: Promote independent laundering. Fill a sturdy basket with a few good towels, detergent and a roll of quarters.
Price: About $35. For a personal touch, CollegiateGifts.com sells a personalized laundry bag -- "Justin's Dirty Duds," "Mom, I'm Home ..." -- for $24.95.
LAVA LAMP
Why: Brightens up a dreary room.
Price: About $10.
LAPTOP COMPUTER
Why: No modern graduate should leave home without it.
Price: $700 and up (way up).
BOARD GAMES
Why: Arm her with an icebreaker. Consider a brain-bending group game such as Cranium or Trivial Pursuit, or a collection of classics such as checkers, chess and cards.
Price: $30.
LUGGAGE
Why: An ideal gift to start him on life's journey.
Price: Varies greatly depending on size and manufacturer, but $60 is a good starting point.
A GOOD PILLOW
Why: To help her rest easy. Pair it with a premium cotton pillowcase in her favorite color.
Price: $25 and up.
COLLEGE T-SHIRT
Why: So he can proudly proclaim his collegiate allegiance. For a more substantial gift, pair it with a sweatshirt for cooler days.
Price: $10 and up.
DIGITAL CAMERA
Why: For capturing memories.
Price: $100 and up. (Be sure to include a memory card and other accessories.) For a low-cost alternative, consider a disposable camera and photo album.
MONEY
Why: It always fits.
Price: You name it.
EDIBLE GOODIES
Why: Something to munch during late-night study sessions. Pack a gift bag or basket with candy, nuts, granola bars, coffee, hot cocoa and other munchies.
Price: About $20.
FLIP-FLOPS
Why: Good for the soles, especially in communal bathrooms.
Price: $2.
WATERPROOF FIRE SAFE
Why: To protect passports, birth certificates and other valuable records from fire or water damage. It's one of those gifts she'll really appreciate later.
Price: About $30.
MAGAZINE SUBSCRIPTION
Why: To ensure some fun mail. Or consider a subscription to your hometown newspaper, so he can keep up with current events and news back home.
Price: $15 and up.
SPORTING GOODS
Why: Having a basketball, football or Frisbee flying disc handy will encourage exercise as well as socializing.
Price: $10 and up.
ROLL OF CARPET OR AREA RUG
Why: To brighten up a drab dorm-room floor.
Price: $25 and up.
MAIL SUPPLIES
Why: So she'll have everything handy for writing letters back home -- or just paying bills. Fill a bag or basket with stationery, envelopes, stamps, address book, and a calendar with relatives' birthdays filled in.
Price: About $25.
A SHARE OF STOCK
Why: Give the gift of equity -- and a reason to keep an eye on Wall Street. Oneshare.com offers framed stock certificates for well-known companies such as Krispy Kreme, Nike, Coca-Cola and McDonald's.
Price: Varies. At Oneshare.com, a framed Krispy Kreme certificate costs about $100; unframed, $59.
GIFT CARDS
Why: More personal than cash. Consider prepaid phone cards or a gift card to a bookstore, electronics store, restaurant, grocery store, gas station or auto parts store (for oil and wiper blades).
Price: You name it.
PIZZA OF THE MONTH CLUB MEMBERSHIP
Why: Each month, your grad will get one deep-dish and two thin-crust specialty pizzas.
Price: A full academic year (nine months), $320 at www.greatclubs.com. A cheaper and healthier option: eight months in the Fruit of the Month Club, $190 at www.harryanddavid.com. Even cheaper: some pizza coupons and a wad of cash.
PERSONAL EGO BOOSTER
Why: This pewter sculpture in the image of a person bowing down to worship the ground you walk on is a pat on the back and a great conversation piece.
Price: $48, from FemailCreations.com.
FRAMED FOUR-LEAF CLOVER
Why: Legend has it that a four-leaf clover symbolizes wealth, fame, good health and a faithful lover. What more could a graduate wish for?
Price: $28, from RedEnvelope.com.
LOFT BED
Why: Because it adds 26 square feet of precious living space -- essential for dorm rooms or small apartments.
Price: CollegeBedLofts.com offers plans for $10 and completed wood lofts for $180 and up.